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REPORT 



OF THE 



I 



titnn Mmtmv idiitmisston 



FOR THE VEAU 



ENDING irUNElst, 1863 



ST. LOUIS, MO.: 

WESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION ROOMS, 

No. lO Nortli F^iftlx Street. 

18 6 3. 






:; 



REPORT 



VESTEM SANITARY COMMISSION, 



ENDING JUNE 1, 1863. 



It having become evident that many persons interested in the 
sanitary condition and needs of our Western armies do not under- 
stand the position occupied by this Commission, the extent of its 
field of operations, and the authority under which it acts, the fol- 
lowing report is j^ublished for the benefit of the cause in which it 
is engaged, and for the information of those who may desire to 
cooperate in its labors : 

GEN. FREMONT'S ORIGINAL ORDER. 

The "Western Sanitary Commission derived its first authority 
from the following order of Major General Fremont: 

HEADQUARTERS, WESTERN DEPARTMENT, 

St. Louis, Mo., September 5, 1861. 

Special Orders, No. 159.] 

With a view to the health and comfort of the Volunteer troops in and 
near to the city of St. Louis, a Sanitary Commission is hereby appointed, 
to consist of five gentlemen, who shall serve voluntarily, and be removable 
at pleasure. Its general object shall be to carry out, under the properly 
constituted military authorities, and in compliance with their orders, such 
sanitary regulations and reforms as the well-being of the soldiers demand. 

This Commission shall have authority — under the directions of the 
Medical Director — to select, fit up and furnish suitable buildings for 



Army and Brigade Hospitals, in such places and in such manner as cir- 
cumstances require. It will attend to the selection and appointment of 
women nurses, under the authority and by the direction of Miss D. L. Dix, 
General Superintendent of the Nurses of Military Hospitals in the United 
States. It will co-operate with the surgeons of the several hospitals id 
providing male nurses, and in whatever manner practicable, and by their 
consent. It shall have authority to visit the different camps, to consult with 
the commanding officers, and the colonels and other officers of the several 
regiments, with regard to the sanitary and general condition of the troops, 
and aid them in providing proper means for the preservation of health 
and prevention of sickness, by supply of wholesome and well cooked 
food, by good systems of drainage, and other practicable methods. It 
will obtain from the community at large such additional means of in- 
creasing the comfort and promoting the moral and social welfare of the 
men, in camp and hospital, as may be needed, and cannot bo furnished 
by Government Regulations. It will, from time to time, report directly 
to the Commander-in-Chief of the Department the condition of the camps 
and hospitals, with such suggestions as can properly be made by a Sani- 
tary Board. 

This Commission is not intended in any way to interfere with the 
Medical Staff, or other officers of the army, but to co-operate with them, 
and aid them in the discharge of their present arduous and extraordinary 
duties. It will be treated by all officers of the army, both regular and 
volunteer, in this Department, with the respect due to the humane and 
patriotic motives of the members, and to the authority of the Com- 
mander-in-Chief. 

This Sanitary Commission will, for the present, consist of James E. 
Yeatman, Esq.; C. S. Greeley, Esq.; J. B. Johnson, M.D.; George 
Partridge, Esq., and the Rev. Wm. G. Eliot, D.D. 

By order of Major General J. C. Fremont. 

J. C. KELTON, Assistant Adjutant General. 

The authority conferred by this oi'cler was recognized and con- 
firmed by Major General Halleck, who added Dr. S, Pollak to the 
Commission, and, still later, by an order from the Secretary of 
War, extending the field of its labors, and reappointing the mem- 
bers of the Commission as at first constituted. 

ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJ'T GENERAL'S OFFICE, 

Washington, D. C, December 16, 1862. 

Special Orders, No. 397] 

Special Orders 159, from Headquarters of the Western Department, 
(St. Louis, Sept. 10, 1861,) by authority of Major General Fremont, estab- 



lishing a Sanitary Commission, (Western,) is hereby approved, and con- 
tinued, with the privilege to said Commission of extending its labors to 
the camps and hospitals of any of the Western armies, under the direction 
of Assistant Surgeon General, Col. R. C. Wood, or the senior medical offi- 
cer of the Medical Department. 

The Commission will consist of the original members appointed — Jas. 
E. Yeatman, C. S. Greeley, J. B. Johnson, George Partridge, and W. G. 
Eliot — until otherwise ordered. 

By order of 

E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. 
E. D. TowNSEND, A. A. G. 

The intended effect of tins order was to place the Western 
Sanitary Commission, in its field of action, upon a full equality 
with the United States Commission. Under this authority, the 
Western Commission has continued its labors, which had been 
previously extended, by the necessity of the case, to the armies of 
the Southwest Frontier, the District of East Arkansas, the armies 
operating on both sides of the AJississippi river, and to the Missis- 
sippi Naval Flotilla. The Western Medical Department, under 
the direction of Assistant Surgeon General Wood, includes all the 
district west of the mountains except Western Virginia, in any 
part of which the Western Sanitary Commission is authorized to 
act; but practically, with some exceptions, its labors have been di- 
rected as just stated. 

ORDER OF MAJOR GENERAL GRANT, 

CONCERNING THE TRANSPORTATION OF SANITARY STORES. 

On the 29th of March, 1863, on the application of the General 
Secretary of the United States Sanitary Commission, Major Gene- 
ral Grant issued the following order, regulating the transportation 
of Sanitary Stores to the army under his command : 

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, 

Young's Point, La., March 29, 1863. 

Special Orders, No. 88.] ' 

I. The Quartermaster's Department will provide and furnish a suitable 
steamboat, to be called the "United States Sanitary Store Boat," and 
put the same in charge of the United States Sanitary Commission, to be 
used exclusively for the conveyance of goods calculated to prevent dis- 
ease, and supplement the Government supply of Stores for the relief of 
the sick and wounded. 

II. No person will be permitted to travel on said boat except officers of 



the Army and Navy, (and they only on permits from their proper com- 
manding officers,) discharged soldiers and employees of the Sanitary 
Commission. No goods whatever, for trading or commercial purposes, 
will be carried on said steamer, and no goods will be taken for individu- 
als, or with any conditions which will prevent their being delivered to 
those most needing them in the Army or Navy. 

III. The contents of all packages to be shipped on said United States 
Sanitary Store Boat will be inspected before shipment, by an Agent of 
said Sanitary Commission, at the point of shipment, unless an invoice of 
their contents shall have been received, the correctness of which is assur- 
ed by the signature of some person of known loyalty and integrity. A 
statement showing what goods have been placed on board at each trip 
will be sent to the Medical Director of the Department at these Head- 
quarters. 

IV. A weekly statement will also be made by said Sanitary Commission 
to the Department Medical Director, showing what sanitary supplies have 
been issued by said Sanitary Commission, and to whom issued. 

V. All orders from these Headquarters authorizing the free transporta- 
tion of sanitary stores from Cairo South, on boats other than the one 
herein assigned for that exclusive purpose, are hereby rescinded. 

By order of Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant. 

JNO. A. RAWLINS, Assistant Adjutant General. 

By an oversight, this order conferred exchisive privileges upon 
the United States Commission, and cut off all Government trans- 
portation from the Western Commission. On the effect of the 
order being represented to General Grant, the following amenda- 
tory order was immediately issued, extending the same privileges, 
in all respects, to the Western Commission, and putting both on 
an entirely equal footing. (See extract from Gen. Grant's Letter, 
p. 27.) 

AMENDATORY ORDER OF GENERAL GRANT, 

EXTENDING TO THE UNITED STATES AND WESTERN SANITAKY COSIMISSIONS 
THE SAME PRIVILEGES. 

HEADQUAKTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE, 

Milliken's Bend, La., April 11, 1863. 

Special Orders, No. 101.] 

The same authorities and privileges granted in Special Orders No. 88 
of date Young's Point, La., March 29, 18G3, from these Headquarters, to 
the United States Sanitary Commission, are hereby extended to the West- 
ern Sanitary Commission, as fully and completely as if the said Western 



Sanitary Commission had been named conjointly in said order with said 
United States Sanitary Commission. 
By order of Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant. 

JNO. A. RAWLINS, Assistant Adjutant General. 

These orders have since been modified by a General Order from 
the War Department at Washington, of which a further statement 
will be made, at the close of this report, under the head of "Ar- 
rangements for Transportation." 

DISTRIBUTION OF SANITARY STORES. 

Since the establishment of this Commission, (Sept. 10, 1861,) to 
the present date, (June 1, 1863,) there have been distributed, 
through its direct instrumentality, 752,938* articles of various 
kinds, for the comfort and health of the soldier, and the relief of 
suffering in the army and in the military hospitals, consisting of 
blankets, pillows, sheets, comforts, bed-sacks, shirts and drawers, 
socks, slippers, towels, handkerchiefs, dried and canned fruits, jel- 
lies, pounds of butter, pounds of zwieback, pounds of crackers, 
packages of farina, bushels of vegetables, bottles of wine, brandy 
and whisky, and many other things, which, for the sake of brevity, 
are not mentioned. The value of these articles is estimated at 
three hundred and ninety-five thousand three hundred and thirty- 
five dollars and 7iinety-six cents. 

These articles have come mainly as the free gift of the noble 
women of the loyal States to their brothers in arms, and have been 
distributed through the agencies of this Commission to the hospi- 
tals of St. Louis and vicinity, Rolla, Sedalia, Lebanon, Springfield, 
Cassville, Houston, West Plains, Cape Girardeau, Pilot Knob, Mo. ; 
Fayetteville and Helena, Ark. ; Columbus, Ky. ; Nashville and 
Memphis, Tenn. ; to the hospital steamers " City of Louisiana," 
(since named the « R. C. Wood,") »D. A. January," " Red Rover," 
(Naval,) "City of Memphis," "Nashville," " Empress," " Imperial," 
" City of Alton," and to the Western armies in the field, in Mis- 
souri, Kansas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and 
Louisiana. 

During the twenty-one months this Commission has been in ex- 
istence fiorty-two thousand seven hundred and seventy-six sick and 

* This estimate does not include the distribution of several thousands of arti- 
cles previous to Nov. 1, 1861, of which no record was kept. 



wounded soldiers have been inmates of the hospitals of St. Louis 
and the immediate vicinity, and about thirty thousand have been 
provided for on hospital steamers, or conveyed to the Northern 
hospitals. Besides these, there has been an aggregate number of 
not less than seventy-five thousand sick during the above period in 
regimental camps and in general and post hospitals, out of St. 
Louis, connected with the armies of the West ; so that we may 
safely estimate that there have been one hundred and fifty thou- 
sand ^oldier^^ at some time sick or wounded, who have been the 
recipients of kindnesses from their friends, in the loyal States, 
through this Commission, to say nothing of the rest of the army, who 
have received liberal supi^lies of vegetables, and other articles, for 
the prevention of disease and the health and comfort of the troops. 

GASH EXPENDITURES FOR SANITARY PURPOSES. 

During the same period there have been expended in money, for 
the purposes of the Commission, one hundred and forty-six thousand 
four hundred and sixty-four dollars and thirty cents, as^ follows: 

For Hospital supplies $103,132 58 

" Freights and transportation 2,949 93 

" Outfits and furnishing of hospitals 4,601 56 

" Making hospital clothing* 4,907 50 

" Army and Navy hospital steamers 9,679 98 

« Soldiers' Home, St. Louis 4,684 30 

« " " Columbus, Ky 1,450 00 

« « " Memphis, Tenn 1,550 00 

'' Contract surgeons, dressers and nurses 4,659 59 

" Distributing agents in the field 2,718 29 

" Office clerks' and registrars' salaries 2,148 52 

" Rent of office and store rooms 1,006 25 

" Labor in warehouse 1,298 82 

" Office and warehouse expenses 387 44 

" Postage 365 29 

" Advertising and printing 617 70 

" Telegraphic communications 138 91 

" Stationery 167 64 

Total $146,464 30 

Estimated value of sanitary stores received and distributed 

by the Commission 395,335 96 

Total amount distributed $541,800 26 

* This work was given out to soldiers' wives in this city, affording them em- 
ployment and the means of self-support. 



The entire expense of distribution, including rents, salaries, and 
agencies of every kind, is If per cent, of the above amount during 
the whole period of the labors of the Commission, as follows: 

TOTAL EXPENSES OF DISTRIBUTION. 

For Distributing and relief agents in the field $2,718 29 

" Office clerks' and registrars' salaries* 2,148 52 

" Rent of office and store roomst 1,006 25 

" Labor in warehouse 1,298 82 

*' Office and warehouse expenses 387 44 

" Postage 365 29 

" Advertising and printing , 617 70 

" Telegraphic communications 138 91 

" Stationery 167 64 

Total expenses $8,848 86 

Being If per cent, of the whole amount received and distributed 
by the Commission. 

CASH DONATIONS RECEIVED. 
Besides the large contributions in sanitary goods, the Commis- 
sion has received in money, from the friends of this cause in the 
several loyal States, the sura of one hundred and forty-four thou- 
sand tico hundred and ffti/six dollars and fifty -eight cents, as 
follows : 

From Massachusetts $50,055 45 

" California^ 50,395 00 

" Missouri 25,244 10 

" " of $50,000 appropriated for the benefit of Mis- 
souri troops 10,000 00 

Carried over, $135,694 55 

* Neither the President nor Treasurer, nor any other member of the Com- 
mission, receives any compensation, direct or indirect, for services rendered. 
They have themselves acted as visitors and inspectors of hospitals, as far as 
seemed necessary. The Commission employs no salaried inspectors, as it has 
found the regular inspections made by the Medical Department at the West so 
thorough that this expenditure has been saved. But on this point difference of 
judgment may very well exist. 

t This Commission has always paid its own rents, which, if deducted from 
the account of expenses, would considerably reduce the already small per cent- 
age which the cost of distribution makes of the whole amount distributed. 

I This amount was sent directly to the Western Sanitary Commission. No 
part of the funds sent to the United States Commission has been appropriated to 
this Commission, although our letters from California had led us to expect such 
a result. 



8 

BroH over, $135,694 55 

From New York 11,522 46 

" Iowa 2,216 00 

« Illinois I5O5O 13 

« Pennsylvania 160 GO 

« Michigan 6141 

*' Wisconsin 39 00 

« Connecticut 100 00 

*' New Hampshire 25 00 

" Ohio 5 43 

" Maine 6 60 

" England 500 00 

Total $151,381 18 

HOSPITALS OF ST. LOUIS AND VICINITY. 

When the Western Sanitary Commission was first organized, 
September 5th, 1861, there were but two Military Hospitals in this 
city and vicinity, namely, the okl Post Hospital at JeiFerson Bar- 
racks, and the New House of Refuge Hospital, the former twelve 
miles south of St. Louis, and the latter about two miles south-west 
of the Arsenal. The latter had been partially fitted up in the ear- 
ly part of the month of August, to meet the necessities of a rap- 
idly increasing army, already subjected to the influences of a 
change of climate, and the exposures of camp life, and furnishing 
its proportion of wounded men from the early battle-fields of Mis- 
souri, Dug Spring, Carthage, Springfield, Lexington and Belmont. 

After the battle of Wilson's Creek, August 12th, 1861, all the 
available wards of the St. Louis Hospital, (kept by the Sisters of 
Charity,) and of the City Hospital, (civil institution) were taken 
and filled with patients. But these accommodations were found 
wholly inadequate to meet the necessities of the case. 

Almost the first service required of the Western Sanitary Com- 
mission was the fitting up, under the direction of medical director 
Surgeon DeCamp, additional hospitals for the reception of the 
sick and wounded of the new volunteer army. In the course of 
the months of September and October, the following hospitals 
were established, furnished and filled Avith patients, namely, the 
Geiieral Hospital, corner of Fifth and Chesnut streets ; the Post 
Hospital, and two Convalescent Hospitals, at Benton Barracks ; 
the Good Samaritan Hospital, (formerly a private institution) ; 
the Fourth-street Hospital, and the Pacific Hospital. 

At a later period, under the direction of Dr. J. B. B. Wright, 



Correction. — A clerical error occurred in copying the manxisoript of the above table, by which Iowa is cre- 
ilited with the amount received from Rhode Island. It is also proper to add that an additional amount of nearly 
.'84.000 was collected in Rhode Island, and expended there for goods, at the request of the Commission, but the 
account was not rendered in such a manner as to appear in the statement of cash donations. 

The amount which should have been credited to Iowa i.? S2,875 40, which increases the total cash receipts to 

SSI.'^dm.'? .flS Tb.^ pntrif>s nn Hio V.nr>lr« nf the Pmnfiisaiiln nrp r-oiTf.ck nnri til., hnlnnpp nn hilTld is in accordance 



and Dr. Madison Mills, Medical Directors, the Marine Hospital 
and Jefferson Barracks were converted into military hospitals ; 
the Small Pox Hospital, on Duncan's Island, was enlarged, and 
the Hickorij -street and Gratiot- street (or Military Prison^ Hos- 
pitals were established, and still later the Post Hospital of Scho- 
Jield Barrachs. Accommodations were thus provided for about 
eight thousand patients. 

During the winter of the present year, under the wise and hu- 
mane directions of the medical authorities in this department, As- 
sistant Surgeon General, Col. R. C. Wood, and Surgeons Madison 
Mills and D. L. Magruder, Medical Directors, two other excellent 
and commodious hospitals have been fitted up, one at Benton Bar- 
racks and the other on the corner of Broadway and Carr street, 
called the Benton Barracks Hospital, and the Lawson Hospital. 
The former was constructed by enclosing the amphitheatre at the 
Fair Grounds, putting in floors, and adding the necessary conve- 
niences ; every part was also thoroughly whitewashed, the shaded 
grounds renovated, and the other buildings upon the grounds 
were converted into officers and nurses' quarters, medical and com- 
missary store rooms, quarters of the invalid corps, &c., &c. These 
changes were devised and authorized by Assistant Surgeon Gen- 
eral Col. Wood, and carried into effect under the direction of Dr. 
Ira Russell, the Surgeon in charge, and the result is one of the 
largest, best ventilated, and well conducted hospitals in the United 
States, capable of accommodating from two to three thousand pa- 
tients. A further description of this hospital, with an engraving, 
will be given in a succeeding report. 

The Laxoso7% Hospital is also commodious and well ventilated, 
and will accommodate six hundred patients. 

These new and superior hospital accommodations have enabled 
the medical department to dispense with the Fourth-street Hos- 
pital, the Pacific Hospital, the St. Louis and City Hospitals. 
The Virginia Hotel was fitted up for hospital purposes, in antici- 
pation of a supposed necessity, but has not been used. It is still 
held in case of an emergency, and the use of the Fourth-street 
Hospital can also be resumed, should circumstances require. 

The present accommodations of the hospitals of St. Louis and 
vicinity are sufficient for eight thousand patients, and ten thousand 
could be comfortably provided for, should any great emergency 
arise. 



10 

All these hospitals are furnished with excellent beds, are pro- 
vided with experienced Surgeons and Nurses, and are unsurpassed 
for cleanliness and good management ; and four of them, the 
Jefferson Barracks^ New House of Refuge^ the Marine Hospital^ 
and Benton Barracks Hospital, are unecpialled for their beau- 
tiful situation and surroundings, their excellent ventilation, and 
free circulation of pure air, and the rapid and sure recovery 
of all curable jDatients brought to them for treatment, the j^er-cent- 
age of deaths of the whole number admitted being exceedingly- 
small at the New House ot Refuge and the new hospital at Ben- 
ton Barracks — namely, Q\ and 4|- per cent. 

The Western Sanitary Commission is less drawn upon for sup- 
plies for these hospitals than formerly. Being now thoroughly 
organized, and under the direction of the higher autliorities of the 
medical department, almost every thing that is needed is obtained 
from the Government. Requisitions for many articles, however, 
are still made upon the Commission, and all female nurses receive 
their appointment from the President of the Commission by a del- 
egated authority in him. 

With the j)resent excellent management of the St. Louis Hospi- 
tals, the Commission has been able to direct its attention more and 
more to the needs of our armies in the field, and to the wounded, 
where battles occur, furnishing supplies, and such additional force 
of Surgeons and Nurses as the occasion requires. 

The following statistics of the Hospitals of St. Louis and vicini- 
ty will give some idea of the labors of the medical department, 
and of the "home field" of this Commission in the care of the 
sick and wounded of our army, and will also embody useful infox*- 
mation. 

NEW HOUSE OF REFUGE HOSPITAL. 

This institution is situated about two miles southwest of the St. 
Lonis Arsenal, in the open country. The building is a large brick 
edifice, four stories high, with amjjle halls and piazzas, high ceil- 
ings, large and numerous windows, free circulation of air, provided 
with pure rain water from ample cisterns, having pleasant grounds, 
and a cheerful and beautiful prospect in every direction. It has 
accommodations for 568 patients. The present Surgeon in charge 
is Dr. A. E. Hammer, U. S. V. Acting Assistant Surgeons : H 
B. Dwells, M.D., Louis Beck, M.D., William Fritz, M.D,, 
Bernats, M.D., H. S. Leffingwell, M.D. Cha2:)lain : Rev. — 

DOEHN. 



11 



STATISTICS. 

New House of Refuge Hospital opened August 6tli, 1861. 

Whole number of patients received to June 1, 1863 8,037 

« « " returned to duty 4,577 

« " " discharged from service 1,233 

«« " " transferred to other hospitals 326 

« " « furloughed 990 

« " « deserted 86 

'' '' " remaining 316 

« « " died 500 

Per centage of deaths 6|- 

CITY GENERAL HOSPITAL, 

CORNER OF FIFTH AND CHESNUT STREETS. 

This is a large, marble-front building, five stories high, with 
basement, having accommodations for 460 patients. It has been 
in charge of Surgeon J. T. Hodgen, U. S. V., from the beginning. 
Acting Assistant Surgeons : Wm. A. McMurray, M.D., W. H. D. 
NoYES, M.D., Stephen R. Gay, M.D., Oscar Blank, M.D., 
A. F. Barnes, M.D. Chaplain : Wm, H. Corkhill. 

statistics. 

This Hospital was opened September 10th, 1861. 

Whole number of patients received to June 1, 1863 6,391 

" « " returned to duty 1,981 

(( " '* discharged from service 886 

'« " " furloughed 572 

« « «< transferred to other hospitals 529 

« " " deserted 77 

« " " remaining 282 

a « " died 925 

Per centage of deaths 14^* 

GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL. 
This hospital is situated in the northwest part of the city, north 
of St. Charles road, and west of Pratt avenue. It is a new brick 
edifice, four stories high, and will accommodate about 150 patients. 
On the 2Gth of March last, its character was changed into a Mili- 
tary Eye and Ear Infirmary, and the institution placed in charge 
of Surgeon Wm. Dickinson, U. S. V.; Acting Assistant Surgeon, 
Charles A. Warner, U. S. A. 

* This large per centage of deaths at this Hospital is owing to the great num- 
ber of almost hopeless cases sent there, of the sick, because of its convenient 
location, and of the wounded for surgical operations. 



12 



STATISTICS. 

Hospital opened September 10th, 1861. 

Whole number of patients received to March 26, 1863 2.127 

" " " returned to duty 1,123 

" " " discharged from service 260 

« « « furloughed 93 

" " " transferred to other hospitals 387 ' 

« « « deserted 16 

« « »< died 248 

Per centage of deaths l-^j?^* 

GOOD SAMARITAN EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY. 

This Hospital was opened March 26th, 1863. 

Whole number of patients received to June 1st, 1863 89 

" " " returned to duty 9 

" " " discharged from service 0- 

" « « furloughed 2 

« " " deserted 1 

" " " remaining 70 

« « " died 

MARINE HOSPITAL. 

This institution is situated half a mile below the Ai-senal, near 
the bank of the Mississij^pi, in a beautiful and healthy locality, 
overlooking the river and country for many miles. It is built of 
stone and brick, is four stories high, surrounded by extensife 
grounds, partly cultivated by convalescent patients as a kitchen 
garden, and has excellent arrangements, good ventilation and every 
condition for the speedy recovery of the sick. It has accommo- 
dations for 150 patients, and is in charge of Assistant Surgeon 
James H. Peabody, U. S. V. ; Acting Assistant Surgeon, L. H. 
Calloway ; Chaplain, Jas. A. Paige. 

STATISTICS. 

This Hospital was opened May 4th, 1862. 

Whole number of patients received to June 1, 1863 938 

« « " returned to duty 441 

*f " (' discharged from service 183 



* The per centage of deaths at this hospital was considerably increased by its 
being made a hospital for measles, which, during the fall and winter of 1861-2, 
were frequently followed by pneumonia. 



13 

Whole number of patients furloughed 60 

" " " transferred to other hospitals 20 

" " " deserted 20 

" " " remaining 138 

" « « died 76 

Per centage of deaths 8-J- 

JEFFERSON BARRACKS HOSPITAL. 

This institution is sitxaated about twelve miles below St. Louis, 
on the Avest bank of the Mississippi river, in the midst of beautiful 
scenery, and the pure and fresh air of the country. It consists of 
the buildings formerly used as a barracks for the regular troops at 
this station, which are very airy, and form a long roAV of one and 
two story houses, surrounding a large plat of ground, on three 
sides of a square, with one end open to the river. Both ou the 
outer and inner sides of these houses are wide piazzas ruunino* the 
whole length of the square, and trees are planted along the walks. 
The rooms are long and high, with large windows on the inner and 
outer sides, through which a perfect ventilation is obtained, and the 
whole series of buildings is fitted up with iron bedsteads, (as nearly 
all the hospitals now are,) and with every convenience necessary 
for t)ie sick and wounded. Three triple rows of new buildings, 
600 feet long, divided into wards of 300 feet each, have been' 
erected a little Avest of the barracks, on well shaded and beautiful 
grounds, at convenient distances apart, greatly enlarging the ac- 
commodations of this hospital, and making it one among the 
noblest institutions in the United States. These buildings are so 
arranged that each group has the central row appropriated to a 
dining room, and surgeons', nurses' and stewards' quarters, being 
equally convenient to the other buildings of the group. Besides 
these improvements, a system of water-works is being introduced, 
by which all the buildings will be abundantly supplied. The en- 
tire accommodation of this hospital is sufficient for 2,500 patients. 
The institution is in charge of Surgeon J. F. Randolph, TJ. S. A., 
assisted by Surgeon J. H. Geove, U. S. V., and by P. C. McLane, 
M.D., A. L. Allen, M.D., G. W. Covey, M.D., T. W. McAe- 
THUE, M.D., T. F. RuMBOLD, M.D., and S. Hemmenwat, M.D., 
Acting Assistant Surgeons ; Post Chaplain, J. F. Fish ; Hospital 
Chaplain, S. Pettigeew. 

STATISTICS. 

This Hospital was opened April 30th, 1862. 
Whole number of patients received to June 1, 1863 6,412 

" " " returned to duty 2,061 



14 

Whole number of patients discharged from service 1,841 

" ", " transferred to other hospitals 389 

« " " furloughed 923 

« « " deserted 91 

" " " joined Invalid corps 142 

" " " remaining 226 

« « " died 739 

Per centage of deaths llj* 

HICKORY STREET HOSPITAL. 

This institution is situated on Hickory street, in the southern 
part of St. Louis, and consists of two three-story dwelling houses, 
adjoining each other. It has accommodations for 90 patients, and 
is in charge of Surgeon Feank W. White, U. S. V. ; Assistant 
Surgeon, H. F. Gilbert, U. S. V. 

STATISTICS. 
This Hospital was opened February 1st, 1862. 

Whole number of patients received to June 1, 1863 1,826 

" « " returned to duty 1,525 

*' " " discharged from service 80 

" « " furloughed 15 

« « " deserted 26 

'f " " transferred to other hospitals 68 

*' " " remaining 90 

« " « died 112 

Per centage of deaths 6J^ 

BENTON BARRACKS HOSPITAL. 

This institution is situated in the Fair Grounds of the St. Louis 
Agricultural Society, about three miles north-west of the city, and 
north of the St. Charles road. The main edifice comprises the 
amphitheatre of the Fair Grounds, enclosed, floored, divided into 
wards, and constituting a circular building, one thousand feet in cir- 
cumference, and three hundred and thirty feet in diameter, with a 
large circular space in the centre, open to the sky and air. It has 
been thoroughly fitted up for the purposes to which it is now de- 
voted, and is divided into wards, provided with water, and every 
way adapted to the care of the sick. Numerous other buildings, 

* During the first six months' occupancy of this hospital, a large number 
were brought to it in a dying condition, suffering not only from severe disease, 
but from effects of long exposure. 



15 

used by the Agricultural Society for its exhibitions, are made sub- 
ordinate to the main edifice ; and the beautiful and ample grounds 
and grateful shade of forest trees make this hospital altogether 
one of the most desirable for the sick and wounded soldiers in 
the whole West. It has accommodations ordinarily for 2,000, 
and, on emergencies, for 2,500 patients; and is in charge of 
Surgeon Ira Russell, U. S. V.; Acting Assistant Surgeons E. 
L. Herriot, M.D., B. F. GiLjrAN, M.D., A. Montgomery, M.D., 
D. M. Reed, M.D., P. D. Marshall, M.D., E. Bcerner, M.D., 
J. Z. Hall, M.D., J. C. Stoddard, M.D., E. Flynn, M.D. ; Sur- 
geon David LeRoy, U. S. V. ; Assistant Surgeon E. L. Phillips, 
TJ. S. Y. ; Assistant Surgeon Wm. T. Day, XJ. S. V. Chaplain* 
S. P. Ives. 

STATISTICS. * 

This Hospital was opened in its present character, March 1, 1863. 

Whole number patients rec'd from March 1, 1863, to Junel, 1863,. 2,042 

" " " returned to duty 621 

" " " discharged from service 421 

« " " furloughed 19 

« " " deserted 55 

" " " remaining 1,097 

« " " died 85 

Per centage of deaths 41-* 

LAWSON HOSPITAL. 

This institution is situated on the corner of Broadway and Carr 
street. The edifice was originally intended for a hotel ; is seven 
stories high, and very commodious, affording accommodations for 
six hundred patients. The "Western Sanitary Commission has fur- 
nished this hospital with a steam engine and elevator, at an ex- 
pense of $2,500. The institution is in charge of Surgeon C. T. 
Alexander, U. S. A.; Acting Assistant Surgeons Donald Mc- 
Lean, M.D., W. H. Bradley, M.D., J. C. Morton, M.D., T. Cun- 
ningham, M.D., David O. Farron, M.D. Chaplain, Montgomery 
Schuyler, D.D. 

* There were formerly at Benton Barracks a Post Hospital and two Conva- 
lescent Hospitals, which were superseded by the present Benton Barracks Hospital. 
About 6,500 patients were treated in these hospitals. 



16 

STATISTICS. 
This Hospital was opened January 17, 1863. 

Whole number of patients received up to June 1, 1863 809 

" " " returned to duty 31 

" '• " discharged from the service 114 

" " " transferred to other hospitals 24 

« « « furloughed 42 

** '^ " remaining 418 

" " « died 209 

Per centage of deaths 25-j?^* 

SMALL POX HOSPITAL. 

This institution is situated on Duncan's Island, in the Mississippi 
river, near the Missouri shore, opposite the Arsenali The build- 
ings are of wood, thoroughly white-washed, and the accommoda- 
tions, including tents, sufficient for 250 patients. It has been in 
charge, from the beginning till quite recently, of Ellsworth 
Smith, M.D., and is now in charge of Acting Assistant Surgeon 

S. W. Adreon. 

STATISTICS. 

This institution was opened as a Military Hospital Oct. 20, 1861. 

Whole number of patients received to June 1, 18G3 871 

« " « returned to duty 443 

" " " discharged from service 13 

" " " furloughed — 

." " " remaining 53 

« « « died 200 

Per centage of deaths -^^rB- 

PRISONEES OF WAR IN THE ABOVE HOSPITAL 

Of the above, whole number of prisoners received 162 

" " returned to Provost Marshal 95 

« « deserted 10 

" " remaining 1 

« " died 56 

Per centage of deaths ... 34^ + 

* This large per centage of deaths at this new hospital is owing to the fact 

that it received the wounded from the battles of Vicksburg and Arkansas Post, 

last winter, and the sick from Milliken's Bend and Helena, which were of the 

, worst description, having many hopeless cases both of wounds and of chronic 

diarrhoea, some of whom died as they were being brought into the hospital. 

t Greater mortality of prisoners owing to the neglected and exhausted condi- 
tion in which they fell into our hands. 



17 

SCHOriELD BARRACKS POST HOSPITAL. 

This building is situated on Chouteau avenue. The hospital 
has accommodations for forty-three patients, and is in charge of 
Surgeon F. W. White; Acting Assistant Surgeon Senter, M.D. 

STATISTICS. 

This Hospital vras opened Feb. 19, 1863. 

Whole number of patients received to June 1, 1863 206 

'' " '' returned to duty 112 

" " " discharged from service — 

'« " " furloughed — 

" " " deserted — 

" " " remaining 17 

" " " died 9 

Per centage of deaths 4y^ 

MILITARY PRISON HOSPITAL. 

This hospital is in a part of the McDowell College, or military 
prison, on Gratiot street, and its patients are rebel prisoners. It 
has accommodations for .320 patients, and is in charge of Surgeon 
George H. Hood, U. S. V. 

STATISTICS. 

From July 1, 1862, to June 1, 1863.* 

Whole number of patients received between the above dates 1,562 

" " " remaining in hospital 135 

" " " died 231 

Per centage of deaths l^yat 

FLOATING HOSPITALS. 

Soon after the battles commenced on our Western rivers, in the 
spring of 1862, the idea of converting steamboats into hospitals 
was first suggested by Surgeon Simmons, Medical Director of Gen. 
Grant's Army, that the wounded might be more immediately and 
better cared for, and brought more comfortably and safely to the 
hospitals provided for them, away from the scene of conflict. The 
idea was cordially approved by Major General Halleck, then com- 
manding the Western Department, and by the medical authorities, 
and was immediately carried into efiect. 

* No reports can be found back of that date. 

t A considerable number of the patients in this hospital arrive in a very ex- 
hausted condition from previous neglect and ill clothing. 

2 



18 

HOSPITAL STEAMER « R. C. WOOD." 

This hospital boat was originally called the '•'-City of Lotdsiana^'' 
and was the first chartered for this service. The Government sup- 
plied her with beds and commissary stores, and the Western Sani- 
tary Commission completed her outfit, at an expense of |3,000, 
and furnished the Assistant Surgeons, the Apothecary, and male 
and female nurses, supplying her also with sanitary stores. She 
conveyed 3,389 patients from Pittsburg Landing, and other points 
ou the western rivers, to northern hospitals, and was afterwards 
released from the service during the summer of 1862. 

This boat has recently been purchased by the Government, re- 
modelled for a permanent hospital boat, with accommodations for 
500 patients, and named the " B. C. Wood^^ in honor of the As- 
sistant Surgeon General of the U. S. A., stationed in this Depart- 
ment, to whose wisdom, humanity and constant foresight many 
improvements in our hosj^ital arrangements are due. 

The "7?. C. WoocV is of great speed, and of amplo dimensions. 
Her state rooms have been removed, and the whole upper deck 
made into one large ward, with abundant light admitted, and ex- 
cellent means of ventilation, with ample provision of bath rooms, 
hot and cold water, cooking apartments, nurses' rooms, dispensary, 
laundry, and many other conveniences. She is in charge of Sur- 
geon Thomas F. Azpell, U. S. V. 

HOSPITAL STEAMER «D. A. JANUARY." 

This large steamer was purchased by the Government, re- 
modelled for a floating hospital, thoroughly furnished, and put in 
charge of Surgeon A, H. Hoff, U. S. V. Previous to last August 
she had made eight trips, and conveyed 2,692 patients from points 
on the Tennessee and lower Mississippi rivers to northern hos- 
pitals. Since that date, she has been constantly in this service, 
and has removed many thousands from the army in the same man- 
ner. To Surgeon Hoff we are largely indebted for great im- 
provements in hospital steamers. 

NAVAL HOSPITAL BOAT "RED ROVER." 

This is a fine, large steamer, captured from the enemy at Island 
No. 10, and converted into a hospital boat. She was remodelled 
in her cabin arrangements and refitted by the Government, and 
her outfit was furnished by the Western Sanitary Commission at 



19 

an expense of $3,500. She is in charge of Assistant Surgeon G. H. 
BixBY, U. S. N., and is permanently attached to the Mississippi 
Naval Flotilla. 

HOSPITAL STEAMER "CITY OF MEMPHIS." 
This is a large and splendid steamer, converted into a hospital 
boat by the Government, and running regularly between the army 
on the lower Mississippi and the hospitals at Memphis and further 
north. She was in charge of Surgeon W. D. Turner, U. S. A., 
until about a nfOnth ago, and has conveyed nearly twelve thou- 
sand sick and wounded soldiers. She is at present in charge of 
Surgeon S. A. Sprague, U. S. A. 

FLOATING HOSPITAL " CITY OF NASHVILLE." 

This large floating hospital is permanently located near Milli- 
ken's Bend, for the uses of the sick of Gen. Grant's army, and is 
capable of accommodating 1,000 patients. She was placed in 
charge of Surgeon L. D. Strawbridge, U. S. A. 

TEMPORARY HOSPITAL STEAMERS. 

The steamer " Eminess''' was, for a time, used as a hospital boat, 
made six trips on the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers, and con- 
veyed 3,375 patients. 

The steamer " ImperiaV was chartered by the President of the 
Western Sanitary Commission, received her outfit under his direc- 
tion and supervision, partly from the Government, but mainly from 
the Commission. She was in charge of Surgeon J. H. Grove, 
U. S. v., and during the two months she was in the service she 
conveyed 2,375 patients. 

The steamer " City of Alt07i" a large and splendid vessel, made 
several trips as a hospital boat, and is again temporarily in the 
same service. 

The magnificent steamer "7?«^/i," and several other boats of 
smaller dimensions, were used last winter in bringing the wounded 
from the first battle at Vicksburg, and from the battle of Arkansas 
Post. As emergencies required, other transports were used, on 
which there was no suitable provision for the sick and wounded, 
and much suffering and many deaths were the consequence ; but 
such want of preparation and negligence is not likely to occur 
again. 

FLOATING HOSPITAL AT HELENA, ARK. 

The Govei-nment is now building a floating hospital, to be sta- 



20 

tioned at Helena, Ark., from plans submitted by the President of 
the Western Sanitary Commission. The low and marshy grounds, 
and the malaria of that region, are so unfavorable to the recovery 
of the sick, that a hospital upon the river, with its fresh currents 
of pure air, will have many advantages over those in town. 

FEMALE NURSES. 

Lately the experiment has been tried of giving to female nurses 
a full opportunity of usefulness, under the intelligent and humane 
direction of Surgeon Ira Russell, in charge of Benton Barracks 
Hospital. Hitherto many Surgeons have entirely neglected to re- 
spect the order of Surgeon General Wm. A. Hammond, U. S. A. 
in which he says : 

"The army regulations allow one nurse to every ten patients 
(beds) in a general hospital. As it is the expressed will of the 
Government that a portion of those nurses shall be women, and as 
Congress has given to the Surgeon General authority to decide in 
what numbers Avomen shall be substituted for men, it is ordered 
that there shall be one woman nurse to two men nurses. Medical 
officers are hereby required to organize their respective hospitals 
accordingly." 

Many of the female nurses, who have entered this service, have 
been persons of the highest character, and prompted by the noblest 
motives of patriotism and humanity. Generally those receiving 
their appointment from the President of this Commission have 
proved themselves worthy of the noble cause in which they have 
been engaged, and in only a few instances have any been found 
unworthy. In all cases applicants are required to pi-oduce testi- 
monials of good moral character and fitness for the service. 

It is to be much regretted that this disinterested and most useful 
class of nurses, engaged in a service in which woman is peculiarly 
fitted to excel, have not always been jDroperly ai^preciated and 
their position sufficiently respected by the Surgeons in charge ; 
while in other instances the service of female nurses has been 
brought into disrej)ute, by the employment of persons of unsuit- 
able character on the part of Surgeons, without requiring of them 
a previous appointment from the proper authority, as required by 
the orders of the Medical Department. 

REGISTRATION OF THE SICK IN HOSPITALS. 
As the Commission was constantly applied to for information 



21 

concerning invalid and wounded soldiers, at what hospitals they 
might be found, and concerning the death and places of burial of 
others, it has for more than a year kept a registry at its rooms, and 
secured from the hospitals of St. Louis and vicinity daily reports 
of all who are received, returned to their regiments, discharged, or 
have died, so that thousands of their anxious friends are able to 
obtain the desired information concerning them. 

SOLDIERS' HOMES. 

The attention of the Commission was called, at an early period, 
to the situation of many soldiers returning home from the army on 
furlough, or discharged from the service, and of others returnino- 
to their regiments, arriving in our large cities and centres of travel 
without the means of paying hotel expenses, often falling into bad 
associations, or suifering neglect for want of a home. 

SOLDIER'S HOME AT ST. LOUIS. 

On the 12th of March, 1862, the Commission established its first 
Soldier's Home, in a central part of this city, (29 South Fourth 
street,) furnished it with comfortable beds, and put it in charge of 
Rev. Charles Peabody, with Miss A. L. Ostram as Matron, who 
was afterwards transferred to the Home at Memphis. During this 
period thousands of soldiers, passing through this city, have found 
here a comfortable resting place and Christian hospitalitj^, without 
charge, and have received important aid and information about 
their papers, in obtaining their pay, and transportation between 
their regiments and their homes. This Home has accommodations 
for from sixty to a hundred soldiers, and entertains on an average 
about thirty a day. Mr. Peabody still remains in charge, and has 
conducted it most successfully from the beginning. 

STATISTICS. 

Whole number of soldiers lodged up to June 1, 18G3 14,350 

" « lodgings furnished 16,886 

" « meals furnished 52,942 

The expenses of the institution have thus far been about $6,000, 
of which $4,684.30 have been paid by the Commission. Rations 
are furnished by the Government for the average number 
of soldiers entertained, and potatoes, butter and dried fruit are 
furnished by the Commission. 



22 

SOLDIER'S HOME AT MEMPHIS, TENN. 

On the 13th of February last the Commission, finding the same 
needs for discharged and invalid soldiers at Memphis, opened a 
Home in that city, under the charge of Mr. 0. E, Waters, with 
Miss A. L. Ostrara as Matron. The building and grounds of this 
institution ai"e situated in the suburbs of Memphis, about a mile 
from the river, and were the former property and residence of a 
rebel officer. This building was turned over to this Commission 
by Gen. T. C. Hamilton. The mansion is large and contains many 
large rooms, a great hall, a front porch, a large piazza in the rear, 
used in summer for dining purposes, and an excellent kitchen. The 
grounds comprise about six acres, three of which form a handsome 
lawn in front, shaded with beautiful trees, and three are cultivated 
for a garden. 

Only discharged and invalid soldiers are received at this Home, 
the Government having provided a place of entertainment at Fort 
Pickering for furloughed soldiers. The Superintendent of the 
Home keeps an ambulance, and conveys his invalid guests to and 
fro between the river, the railroad depot, and his place of enter- 
tainment. He also gives much aid to them in getting their papers 
corrected and obtaining their pay, and placing them comfortably 
on steamers on their departure. While remaining with him they 
enjoy the pleasant home and grounds exceedingly, and often ex-^' 
claim, on their arrival, " Well, this seems more like home than any 
place I have seen since I enlisted." They are often quite reluctant 
to leave. In three instances invalid soldiers have died here, laying 
aside, with resignation and trust, the armor which they had put on 
for country and liberty. Others have been picked up in a helpless 
condition in the streets and brought to the Home. 

The mansion and grounds of this Home are without cost to the 
Commission or the Government, rations for the average number of 
guests are furnished by the Commissary, and the whole expense of 
the institution for three months is |1,550, including repairs, furni- 
ture, and the salaries of those who conduct it. Of this amount, 
$50 was donated by Mr. Irvine, Agent for the State of Illinois, and 
$100 by Mrs. Gov. Harvey, Agent for the State of Wisconsin. 

STATISTICS. 

Whole number of guests entertained from Feb. 13 to May 1, 1863... 690 

" " lodgings furnished 1,976 

" « meals " ., 4,089 



23 

SOLDIER'S LODGE AT MEMPHIS. 

A temporaiy " Lodge," and ware-room for sanitary stores, has 
been fitted up, near the steamboat binding, by the United States 
Sanitary Commission, and furnished with beds by the Western 
Sanitary Commission, where the discharged and invalid soldier, 
arriving at night, can find temporary rest, and afiervv^ards be trans- 
ferred to the Home. The intention is that the two institutions 
shall work together, and be, to a certain extent, under the same 
direction and management, since both Commissions are laboring 
in the same great cause, and with the same end in view. 

SOLDIER'S HOME AT COLUMBUS, KENTUCKY. 

About the same time the Soldier's Home was established i\% 
Memphis, the President of the Commission also visited Columbus, 
Ky., and found the same needs existing there. The v^^U^t was 
the establishment of the Home at that military po,at, at first under 
Mr. Wyeth, afterwards in charge of Rev. % Nute, Jr., with Mrs. 
S. A. Plummer as Matron, and Miss Ida Johnson as Assistant 
Matron. The same friendly offices %a the dischargee] m^ invalid 
soldier are performed here as nt St, I^o.uis and Memphis, and the 
institution has been exceedingly useful and well conducted ; its 
expenses thus for have been |il4:50, 

STATISTICS. 

Whole number of soldiers entertained up to June 1, 1863,,,,nin'- •. 10,541 

Whole number of meals furnished ,,.,,,,,.......,.,,. 16,294 

Number of rations cooked for soldiers to take with them on leaving, 

during April and May ,,,....,.,,....,..,.,.,,,,.... 1,^4 

The whole number of soldiers entertained at these Ho^es, from 
their establishment to the 1st of June 1863, was 25,581 ; the 
whole number of lodgings furnished was 30,852 ; an,d the whole 
number of meals supplied was 73,325. 

OFFICERS' HOSPITAL AT MEMPHIS, 

During a visic of the President of this Commission to the army^ 
last winter, he found on his return the Offioevs' Hospital at Mem- 
phis unprovided with beds, and without the common comforts of 
an ordinary hospital. Many WQ^nd0d oftjoers were without the 
means (having been a long time without pay) to provide far them- 
selves. Under these circumstances he provided an entire outfit 
for a hospital of one hundred beds, with furniture and other necessa' 



24 

ries ; and a supi^ly of sanitary stores lias recently been forwarded 
to this institution. 

AGENCY AT HELENA, ARKANSAS. 

On the arrival of the Army of the South-west at Helena, Ark., 
under Major General Curtis, July 13, 1862, the Western Commis- 
sion immediately established one of its agents, Mr. A. W. Plat- 
tenburg, at that post, with a depot of sanitary stores, which in the 
way-worn and destitute condition of that army, after its toilsome 
march through Arkansas, was greatly needed. A liberal distribu- 
tion was made of hospital clothing, of wines, jellies and stimulants 
for the sick, and of towels, handerchiefs, socks, combs, &c., to the 
well — articles which they could not obtain at Helena. 

During the last fall and winter there was much sickness at this 
post, in camps and hospitals, and the supplies of Mr. Plattenburg 
were largely drawn upon. Generous supplies of vegetables have 
also been sent this spring, there being a scarcity ai} that point. 
These were found to be essential to the army, for the cure and 
prevention of scorbutic diseases. 

From Helena, in January last, Mr. Plattenburg went down with 
large supplies of sanitary goods to General Sherman's army, after 
the first battles at Vicksburg, which he distributed freely to the 
army and to the wounded on the hospital steamers ; and in March 
last, when General Grant's army had gone below, he moved his 
depot of stores to Milliken's Bend, What remained of the army 
at Helena has been supplied since that date through other agen- 
cies of the Commission, and by the United States Commission, 
through its agent Dr. Fithian, to whom the Western Commission 
has also sent supplies. 

INCIDENTAL AGENCY FOR THE FREED PEOPLE AT HELENA. 

An incidental Avork for the suffering "contrabands," or freed 
people, of Helena, from whom a regiment of soldiers has been re- 
cruited and another is now in progress, devolved upon the Com- 
mission, and has been chiefly attended to by one of its members. 
At the opening of the past Avinter, the accounts of the sufiering of 
these people made so strong an appeal to Christian sympathy that 
the Commission sent down to Helena Miss Maria R. Mann, as an 
agent, with clothing and sanitary stores to improve the condition 
of their hospital, and otherwise give them relief and assistance. 
Her labors there have been very useful, and great improvement 



25 



has been the resalt. A large and comfortable liospital has been 
fitted up and furnished for them, with surgeons and nurses to at- 
tend upon the sick; and the mortality, which was fearfully great 
in the winter, has been very much diminished. 1 his institution is 
now placed on the same footing with other mihtary hospitals 

I ew camp for women and children, and the infirm, has been 
commenced, and the adjoining lands assigned to them for gardens 
and Tu Itiva^ion, under the direction of a superintendent^ Se^^ral 
schools have recently been opened for these people, and Miss Mann 
w remain as long as she feels that she can be usefu to them and 
lev health will permit. Many discouragements atthis Post hav 
always attended every efiort to improve the condition ot he fi-eed 
people, and do still exist, but it is a source of much satisfaction 
+Tint tjnmpthino" has been done. 

Sinrthis tvork commenced, over one thousand dollars h..e 
been specially contributed by friends in New England to carry it 
on and is kept as a separate fund for this purpose m the hands of 
Re'v. Dr. Eliot, to whom further donations for the same object may 
at any time be forwarded. 

AGENCY AT MILLIKEN'S BEND AND VICKSBURG. 
Durinc the month of March, after the army of Gen. Grant had 
.one down to commence operations against Vicksburg, the Com- 
fnbsion felt the importance of having a dep5t of sanitary stores 
near at hand, and Mr. Plattenburg was according y directed to 
„ to Milliken's Bend. Since that date he !-« ^-n kept 
constantly supplied with whatever was needed for the health of 
he a myf and the comfort of the sick and wounded sokhers^ On 
the 1st of May, the Medical Director of General Grant's Army, 
Suroeon M. Mills, turned over to Mr. Plattenburg a hospital barge, 
for the keeping of sanitary stores, similar to one previously provi- 
ded for the U.S. Commission, and in all other respects the two 
Commissions have been furnished with the same privileges and 
opportunities of carrying out their benevolent work 

On the 26th ult., on hearing of the several battles of Geneial 
Grant, in the rear of Vicksburg, the President of the Commission 
^ent down with the steamer « Champion," .e-rymg with him 
a large amount of sanitary stores, accompanied by ski Iful sui- 
.eons and competent nurses, numbering over fifty, to render e^^ry 
;ossible assistance. The nurses were employed and paid by this 
Commission. His visit accomplished great good, and the depot of 



26 

supplies was furnished anew, having been completely exhausted by 
the sudden demand. He left Mr. Plattenburg engaged in the work 
of distribution wherever sanitary stores were needed. 

AGENCY AT SPRINGFIELD, MO. 

During the last fifteen months, the Commission has kept its 
agents, Mr. A. W. Plattenburg, Rev. F. li. Newell, and others, 
with the Army of the South-west and of the Frontier, and has kept 
depots of sanitary goods at Springfield, Mo., and elsewhere. After 
the battle of Pea Ridge, Mr. Plattenburg went with the army of 
Maj. Gen. Curtis through Arkansas to Helena, and became stationed 
there. On the 20th of last December, Mr. Newell arrived at Spring 
field and remained there till the battle of Prairie Grove, when he 
proceeded at once to Fayetteville, Ark., where were gathered the 
wounded and sick consequent upon that desperately-fought battle, 
numbering about one thousand. Here he distributed his supplies, 
and remained for a time under the direction of Surgeon Ira Rus- 
sell, the Medical Director, laboring in various ways for the relief 
of the sufliering The supplies thus furnished, and the labors of Mr. 
Newell, were gratefully received and highly appreciated by the 
surgeons and the brave Army of the Frontier. 

SOLDIERS' MANUAL FOR THE CAMP AND HOSPITAL. 

A large edition of a "Treatise on the preservation of the Health 
of the Soldier, the cooking of Food, the preparation of Diet for the 
Sick, the duties of Nurses and attendants, and the organization and 
general management of Hospitals," has been 2>i'epared, published 
and circulated by the Commission, and has proved highly useful 
and beneficial to the service. 

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ENGLAND AND GERMANY. 

Special mention is due to noble friends of our cause in England 
and Germany, who have sent their contributions to ns across the 
ocean, as an evidence of their sympathy with our Government and 
the armies of liberty. As will be noticed in the account of dona- 
tions received, 1500 was sent from England; and through the 
Mayor of New York, Hon. George Opdyke, a large supply of the 
finest lint and linen bandages was received from Frankfort-on-thQ- 
Main. 

TESTIMONIALS, 

That the friends of the Westeru Commission may see how fully 



27 

its services have been recognized by the military authoi'ities, and 
/ the medical department, and what assistance and co-operation have 

, been extended to it in its labors, a few testimonials are here sub- 

joined. 

FROM MAJOR GENERAL HALLECK. 

" Wak Department, 
" Washington, January 4, 1863. 

" I have been personally familiar with the long continued and 
faithful services of the Western Sanitary Commission and cordial- 
ly recommend it to the confidence of the community, and to the 
co-operation of all officers of the army, in all respects, as far as the 
regulations of the service will allow. 

(Signed,) H. W. HALLECK, 

General in Chief of the U. S. A ." 

FROM MAJOR GENERA.L SCHOFIELD. 

" Headquarters, Department of the Missouri, 
" St. Louis, June 1, 1863. 
"My direct and intimate acquaintance Avith the Western Sanitary 
Commission throughout the campaign in South-west Missouri and 
Arkansas, and at St. Louis, since the rebellion began, enables me 
heartly to concur with the above testimonial of Major General 
Halleck. The members of the Commission and its agents have 
worked with energy and efficiency, and the whole Western De- 
partment owes them a debt of gratitude which cannot easily be 

repaid. 

(Signed,) J. M. SCHOFIELD, 

Major General." 

FROM MAJOR GENERAL GRANT. 

Extract from a letter. 

" Headquarters, Department of the Tennessee, 

" April 1, 1863. 
"It is not necessary for me to assure you of my appreciation of 
the good done both by the United States and the Western Sani- 
tary Commissions, and my desire to facilitate their operations, in 
every way consistent with the interests of the service. 
I am, Sir, your very obedient serv't, 

U. S. GRANT, 

Major General." 



28 

FROM THE SURGEONS OF THE ARMY OF THE SOUTHWEST. 

Camp at Helena, Arkansas, 

December, 1862. 

The undersigned, Surgeons of Divisions and Regiments, take this 
method to express their hearty approval of the Western Sanitary Com- 
mission, and to testify to its great eflBciency and usefulness in the Army 
of the Southwest. Without the comforts it has been so prompt to afford, 
at all times, whether in the camp or in the field, much and great suffering 
must have resulted. * * The Agent of the Commission, Mr. A. W. 
Plattenburg, has cheerfully furnished, for the use of the sick and wounded, 
everything in his possession. Joining this army just after the battle of 
Pea Ridge, he came with his abundant stores most providentially, and 
through all dangers, trials and vicissitudes he has remained constantly 
with us, and ever faithful to his mission. 

(Signed,) J. B. D. IRWIN, Medical Director, 

ISAAC CASSELBERRY, Dlv. Medical Director, 

C. G. PEASE, Post Surgeon, 

J. C. DICKEN, Late Post Surgeon, 

D. L. McGUGIN, Surgeon 2>d Iowa Cavalry, 

And twenty-nine other Surgeons. 

FROM MAJOR GENERAL CURTIS. 

Headquarters, Department of Missouri, 
St. Louis, March 1st, 1863. 
From personal acquaintance with the work of the Western Sanitary 
Commission, I heartily concur in the testimonials of the Surgeons of the 
. Army of the Southwest. Among the pleasant and grateful recollections 
of the campaign in the Southwest, was the arrival of Mr. A. W. Platten- 
burg, the Agent of this noble Commission, just after the battle of Pea 
Ridge, (where the wounded were so unprovided for,) with his abundant 
sanitary stores and supply of stimulants. In the destitute condition of 
our hospitals, it seemed like a providential interposition in our behalf. 
From that time onward this Commission has kept its excellent and faith- 
ful agents in the field, and contributed largely to the health of the troops, 
the alleviation of suflTering, and the saving of life. I am glad of the op- 
portunity to commend its President, its members, and its agents to the 
confidence and co-operation of the people of the loyal States. 

(Signed,) 

S. R. CURTIS, Major General. 

FROM SURGEONS RUSSELL AND CARPENTER. 

My thanks are due to the Western Sanitary Commission, for the valu- 
able aid rendered to the wounded from the battle of Prairie Grove, by its 
agent, Mr. F. R. Newell. — [Dr. Ira Russell. 

Mr. Newell's sanitary stores were a perfect God-send to our poor fel- 



29 

lows, many of whom had lost nearly all their clothing on the battle field. 
He made a judicious distribution of his shirts, drawers and other articles 
amono- the most needy. He also placed at our disposal two ambulances, 
without which we could hardly have carried on the hospital. Enough 
cannot be said of an institution, such as the Western Sanitary Commis- 
sion, which performs such deeds. — [Dr. Carpenter's Report, after the bat- 
tle of Prairie Grove. 

RELATIONS OF THE WESTERN AND UNITED STATES 
SANITARY COMMISSIONS. 

Thfe Western Sanitary Commission commenced its work as an 
independent organization, under a military order giving it au- 
thority to act. From the beginning to the present time it has la- 
bored in its own sphere, and by its own methods, with Avhat 
degree of success, economy and usefulness, this rejiort will furnish 
some means of judging. 

Its relation to the United States Sanitary Commission has al- 
ways been, and still is, that of a friendly co-worker in the same 
great cause, its labors being altogether with the western armies, 
and its contributions coming from friends, in all parts of the loyal 
States. 

It has not been thought best that it should become a subor- 
dinate branch of the U. S. Commission, but rather that it should 
continue as at first constituted, having its own methods, economies, 
and agencies, and acting without the restraints of a superior body, 
according to the needs of the western armies and the opportunities 
afforded it — willing, at all times, and happy to co-operate with the 
Washington Commission. 

At an early period it proposed a plan of co-operation and a divi- 
sion of labor, which was renewed, the past winter, to the General 
Secretary of the U. S. Commission, during his visit to the West, 
offering to take the whole field west of the army of Gen. Rosen- 
crans, and keep it supplied with sanitary stores, and to send month- 
ly reports, for record, to the U. S. Commission at Washington. 
But no satisfactory response has been received, and meanwhile 
the two Commissions continue their work as before, sometimes 
occupying the same field, and laboring together for the same ob- 
jects. Perhaps the whole work can be done as well in this man- 
ner as in any other, by a two-fold agency and friendly competi- 
tion; nor do we find fault with it. But it is obvious that a 
division of work, in accordance with the proposal made, would be 



30 / 

the more economical plan, and, judging from previous experience, 
equally efficient. The United States Commission might still re- 
tain its desired nationality of working and do as much as at pi*es- 
ent, by directing supplies to our depots, from which its Hospital 
Inspectors could draw whatever stores they need ; and ajl the pur- 
poses of a general record at Washington would be served by the 
monthly statements of receipts, expenditures, &c., as above sug- 
gested. But, at all events, no conflict or rivalry between the two 
Commissions will be permitted, by either of them, to occur. 

ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF SANITARY 
STORES. 

The Government furnishes transportation for sanitary goods to 
both Commissions alike, through the Medical Directors, at the 
places of shipment and delivery, in accordance with a General 
Order from the "War Department. It is advised, therefore, that 
all shipments should be directed to one or the other of these Com- 
missions, either of which will make a faithful distribution of the 
supplies entrusted to its care. In sending to the Western Com- 
mission, the direction should be to James E. Yeatman, its Presi- 
dent, at St. Louis, with the name and place of the donor marked 
on the corner of the box or package, and the freight to this city 
prepaid, if convenient, sending generally by freight lines instead 
of by express. 

ACKNO WLED GMENTS. 

The Western Sanitary Commission desires, in this report, to re- 
turn its grateful acknowledgments to numerous friends and con- 
tributors, in all the loyal States, and to the various associations 
that have co-operated in its labors. 

To the several Commanding Generals of this Department, Major 
Generals Fremont, Halleck, Curtis and Schofield, also to Major 
Generals Grant and Sherman, to General R. Allen, Col. Meyers, 
Col. Haines, and Col. L. B. Parsons, of the Quartermaster's 
Department, and to the Medical authorities of this Department, 
especially to the Assistant Surgeon General, Col. R. C. Wood, and 
to Medical Directors, Surgeons De Camp, Mills and Magruder, the 
Commission is greatly indebted for their generous direction and 
co-operation in the great work in which it has been engaged, in 
promoting the health, the welfai-e and efficiency of the great Union 
Army of the West. 



31 

The Commission also gratefully acknowledges the valuable ser- 
vices of Mr. R. R. Hazard, jr., of Newport, R. I., who gave over 
six months of his time, while on a visit in St. Louis, to constant 
labors in this important work, for a considerable part of the time 
fulfilling the duties of Acting President of the Board. 

LADIES' UNION AID SOCIETIES. 

Especial notice is due to the Ladies' Union Aid Society of this 
city, by reason of its intimate connection and co-operation with 
this Commission. From its establishment, August 1, 1861, to 
June 1, 1863, it has distributed 253,782 articles, consisting of hos- 
pital shirts, drawers, slippers, socks, canned fruits, books, chairs, 
air beds, &c. Over 35,000 hospital garments have been made, gra- 
tuitously, by the ladies of this Society, or cut and given out to be 
made by soldiers' wives, from materials furnished by the Western 
Sanitary Commission. It has received in money, since its organi- 
zation, $20,900.77, and expended 120,809.54. This association of 
ladies has also a small department, under its own direction, at the 
Benton Barracks Hospital, for the preparation and supply of deli- 
cate food for the very sick, as prescribed by the Surgeons. Its 
members have also performed a large amount of useful labor in the 
hospitals, especially during the period preceding the apjiointment 
of Hospital Chaplains, in the visitation of the sick and wounded, 
in religious reading and con-'ersation, and in offices of personal 
kindness, cheering the desponding, and directing the thoughts of 
the suffering and dying to the truths of religion, the presence and 
aid of the Saviour of men, and the hope of heaven. 

Several other associations of the same kind exist in St. Louis 
and vicinity, that have labored most faithfully in the same devoted 
manner ; and to these and the society at KirkAvood, the Com- 
mission is under many obligations for their important aid ; but the 
limits of this report, and the want of statistics, render it impossible 
to enter into particulars. 

Others in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, 
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Massa- 
chusetts, have also contributed largely to the supplies of the Com- 
mission. The total amount of work performed by these associa- 
tions, by which the Western armies have been so abundantly 
furnished, will never be known, and would exceed belief. 

At the present time, it may be safely said that no army in the 
world was ever in a better sanitary condition, or more abundantly 



32 

provided with everything for the preservation of health and the 
recovery of the sick, than the armies of the West. The Medical 
Department of the army, and the loyal citizens everywhere, seem 
to have resources quite inexhaustible. 

CONCLUSION. 

The friendly associations that have been created by these 
mutual endeavors to serve our beloved country and its noble de- 
fenders, in this period of trial and danger, the generous sacrifices 
that have been made by rich and poor, the numerous instances of 
liberality and private beneficence that have come to the knowledge 
of this Commission, the patriotic and unselfish devotion with 
which the honorable women of our land have labored for the 
relief of suifering and the encouragement of our armies, and the 
heroism of our citizen soldiery, in leaving their homes for the bat- 
tle field, and enduring wounds and sickness and the dangers of 
the camp and field, for the sake of country and liberty, have filled 
the hearts of those who have been engaged in this holy cause with 
cherished memories of the good and true, and established friend- 
ships that will grow stronger with time, and be revived and per- 
petuated in eternity ; and, above all, they have the satisfaction of 
knowing that they have aided, to the extent of their ability, in 
preserving the existence and authority of our National Govern- 
ment, and in perpetuating the blessings of liberty. 

JAMES E. YEATMAN, 

President. 
C. S. GREELEY, 
J. B. JOHNSON, 
GEO. PARTRIDGE, 
WM. G. ELIOT. 

J, G. FOKMAN, 

Cor. Secretary. 



HBRARY OF CONGRESS 



013 744 475 6 ^ 



